Thoughts on a new powder measure.

What are your thoughts on the RCBS Uniflow powder measure? http://www.basspro.com/RCBS-Uniflow-Powder-Measure/product/10207301/44102

Right now i have an old Lyman with a slide and it doesn't drop rifle powder consistently. I have to tap the handle at the top to get the powder to settle into the drum, then tap the handle multiple times to get it all to fall out. I hate it.

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kingmt

June 11, 2012, 12:01 PM

I like my Pro Auto Disk better. I don't know what rifle your loading for tho. For rifle I use a Smartreloader scale/despensor.

ColtPythonElite

June 11, 2012, 12:09 PM

I've had one for over 20 years. It works pretty darn well. However, I think the Hornaday L-N-L measure works a bit better.

cfullgraf

June 11, 2012, 12:52 PM

I have had my Uniflow since the early eighties. In my opinion, it works better with a powder baffle.

The Hornady L-N-L and Uniflow are essentially the same design the primary differences are the size of the various metering cavities.

The Hornady has some interesting features such as quick change metering inserts, quick change drums, and a drain tube.

I have both but prefer the Uniflow.

A Pause for the Coz

June 11, 2012, 02:42 PM

In my opinion if you plan on using any flake powders such as unique, Herco or blue dot. Get a Uniflow.

Jason977

June 11, 2012, 03:16 PM

I have used the Uniflow and the similar Hornady. I haven't studied their consistency closely, but both seem to work just fine. I do prefer the extra features of the Hornady though. Mainly the ability to keep multiple plungers set for different loads and quickly swap them out

Arkansas Paul

June 11, 2012, 03:27 PM

It's all I've ever used, so I can't say about others, but I like it a lot. No complaints for sure.

GLOOB

June 11, 2012, 04:19 PM

I have to tap the handle at the top to get the powder to settle into the drum, then tap the handle multiple times to get it all to fall out.

You might wanna try not tapping and see how your throws come out. There's no reason you need to have the powder pack/settle in the drum. W/e falls in loosely should be relatively consistent unless your powder flakes are way to large and fluffy to enter the drum on their own. And if you tap the drum, you're letting the weight of the powder column pack your drum, so you'll get more variation as your hopper levels change. What powders are you having problems with, btw? And there's no reason to get every last crumb out when you drop it.

There are many powders which do not completely come out of the measure. You can tap forever with a metal screwdriver, even, and not every grain of H110 or H335 will come off the bottom of the measure. It just won't happen. So you can tap dozens of times to get a few more balls to fall out. Or you can just leave w/e sticks by in the bottom/crevices of the measure alone. That amount will stay fairly consistent.

FWIW, the Lee PPM manual explicitly states you should not tap the measure.

Pit4Brains

June 11, 2012, 06:01 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning towards this measure since it's on the shelf of two local stores, Bass Pro and Sportsman's Warehouse. I like to be able to take something right back to the store and I'm not the biggest fan of on-line buying.

What powders are you having problems with, btw?

Currently I am using H4831 and Alliance R22. This measure has always had a problem with the extruded or "rod" shaped powders. If I remember correctly, it did very well with the flakes and ball powders I used for 357 and 38's, but that was years ago. Back then I'm pretty sure I was using bullseye and blue dot powders.

You might wanna try not tapping and see how your throws come out.

The biggest problem is in the drop. I would guesstamate that sometimes 20 to 50 percent of the charge jams up in the discharge chute and will drop a little at a time with sequential taps.

777TRUTH

June 11, 2012, 06:29 PM

Buy with confidence.

oldcelt

June 11, 2012, 08:28 PM

I use the RCBS uniflow and like it, Itworks great with ball or flake powders. With extruded powders I find some variations so I weigh them. I want the best, thats why I reload.

Walkalong

June 11, 2012, 08:43 PM

By all counts, it is a quality measure that will serve you well. Hard to beat RCBS products. I have the Redding BR-30 and 10X measures, which are of the same design, and they work great.

The micrometer inserts are not a must have, but very nice to. I use them and like the way I can dial back to a charge. Dial it up, check it on the scale, and start loading. Until I change powder lots, I don't have to worry about it, as it is always right on.

ranger335v

June 11, 2012, 09:02 PM

"This (Lyman?) measure has always had a problem with the extruded or "rod" shaped powders."

They all do, Lyman's 55 is not unique about that; that's why those of us who want truly consistant charges use tricklers to bring them up to weight. Thing is, Lee's PPM has the reputation of being the most consistant measure available for coarse powders.

Wahoo95

June 11, 2012, 09:50 PM

I purchased a Lee Perfect Powder Measure specifically to measure Varget powder and it works very well. I do find that a light tap in both Yvette upstroke and downstroke helps maintain consistency.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

beatledog7

June 11, 2012, 10:34 PM

LNLs are great. I have two, one set up for pistol and another for rifle. Saves time swapping out the drums and inserts.

Pit4Brains

June 11, 2012, 11:13 PM

that's why those of us who want truly consistant charges use tricklers to bring them up to weight.

Which is exactly what I am doing now. I have the measure set so that the load just upsets the beam then I trickle up.

So, I did a little research with all of the fore-mentioned measures and I feel safe going with the RCBS. Thanks all.
I'm sure this will look nice on my bench as well while giving me the consistency I want when I get into loading 38's and 357's.. Thanx all..

cfullgraf

June 11, 2012, 11:35 PM

If you are planning on loading handgun, make sure you get the small cavity drum for the Uniflow.

There are two drums available. I believe these days, the Uniflow only comes with one or the other. When I got mine back in the dark ages, it came with both drums.

Pit4Brains

June 13, 2012, 03:09 PM

If you are planning on loading handgun, make sure you get the small cavity drum for the Uniflow.

I do plan on loading handgun when I can get some 357 and 9mm dies so this is some good info, thanks.

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